Sachin Tendulkar: Greg Chappell Wanted to Control Indian Cricket With Me, Australian Test Great Responds

Rahul Dravid (L) speaks with coach Greg Chappell (C) as Sachin Tendulkar watches before a team line-up for a group photograph in 2006.Reuters

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has made a shocking revelation that former India coach Greg Chappell wanted him to replace Rahul Dravid as captain for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies.

The former Indian star batsman retired from all forms of cricket in November 2013. The 41-year-old's autobiography, "Playing It My Way", is due to release on Thursday and he writes that Chappel visited his residence and requested him to take over the captaincy from Dravid.

Tendulkar played alongside Dravid in the Tests and One Day Internationals for over a decade and the duo contributed to India's success across both formats during their playing career. Tendulkar admitted that Chappell wanted to control Indian cricket with his support.

"Just months before the World Cup, Chappell had come to see me at home and, to my dismay, suggested that I should take over the captaincy from Rahul Dravid," Tendulkar writes in his autobiography.

"Anjali [Tendulkar's wife], who was sitting with me, was equally shocked to hear him say that 'together, we could control Indian cricket for years', and that he would help me in taking over the reins of the side."

"I was surprised to hear the coach not showing the slightest amount of respect for the captain, with cricket's biggest tournament just months away. He stayed for a couple of hours, trying to convince me, before finally leaving," he adds.

Chappell Denies Tendulkar's Claims

Responding to Tendulkar's remarks, Chappell says the claims are untrue.

"Whilst I don't propose to get into a war of words, I can state quite clearly that during my time as Indian coach I never contemplated Sachin replacing Rahul Dravid as captain. I was therefore very surprised to read the claims made in the book."

"During those years, I only ever visited Sachin's home once, and that was with our physio and assistant coach during Sachin's rehabilitation from injury, at least 12 months earlier than what was reported in the book."

"We enjoyed a pleasant afternoon together but the subject of captaincy was never raised," the Australian legend said.